Trump threatens 'severe consequences' if Putin blocks Ukraine peace

by ANDREA SHALAL, THOMAS ESCRITT AND TOM BALMFORTH

REUTERS
August 14, 2025

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump threatened "severe consequences" if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine but also said on Wednesday that a meeting between them could swiftly be followed by a second that would include the leader of Ukraine.

Trump did not specify what the consequences could be, but he has warned of economic sanctions if his meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday proves fruitless.

The comments by the U.S. president and the outcome of a virtual conference with Trump, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held on Wednesday could provide encouragement for Kyiv after fears the Alaska summit could end up selling out Ukraine by carving up its territory.